Posted on 02/04/2011 7:27:53 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Jeff Larson, a Minnesota Republican operative, is expected to become the new RNC Chief of Staff. But as Yahoo!’s Holly Bailey reported,
back in the fall of 2008, Larson gained another sort of notoriety: He provided his credit card for Sarah Palin’s infamous $150,000 clothing makeover.
As you may recall, this became a pretty big — if superficial — scandal back in 2008.
The disclosure that the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on clothing and accessories for vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family set off recriminations among GOP officialsand, more important, party donors. It wasn’t just the volume of the purchaseswhich included new dresses for Palin, suits for husband Todd and outfits for her childrenit was the use of swanky stores like Neiman Marcus. One top party fundraiser told NEWSWEEK that, ever since the story broke on Politico.com, he was bombarded with calls from Republican donors who were “furious” that their contributions were used for such purposes. “This has damaged everybody’s credibility,” griped the fundraiser (who asked not to be identified talking about party business). Among those upset was Saul Anuzis, the Michigan Republican Party chairman, still smarting over McCain’s decision to pull out of his state. “I have no idea how you spend $150,000 on clothes,” he says. Lobbyist Andrea McWilliams, a GOP fundraiser in Texas, said the flap undercut the party’s message. Palin’s “transformation from low couture to haute couture isn’t the kind of change that voters had in mind,” she said.
Personally, the clothing thing doesn’t bother me. This strikes me as much ado about nothing. But from a public relations standpoint, RNC insiders must be frustrated with this revelation.
On the heels of Michael Steele’s rocky and sloppy regime, new RNC Chair Reince Priebus simply cannot allow his nascent tenure to become a joke.
Republicans should hope this is merely an example of media obsession with Palin — and not a harbinger of things to come at the RNC.
Perhaps reporting on what the Dems spend on wardrobes is in order.
I wonder how much taxpayer money has been expended on those weird get-ups the FLOTUS likes to parade around in.
Let me know when the SRM is ready to shine the penetrating rays of their truth-telling on that little subject. Then we can talk about how much the Republican party, supported as it is by private contributions, is or is not spending on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.
I don't think this Preibus guy can run a straight operation ~ financially or otherwise.
Seems to me it was money well spent. She looked great the night she gave her great speech.
Does it really take that much money to make a woman look good ?
Ya, but it sure as hell didn't stop you from dragging it up again and trying to use it, did it? Let me guess, you're "concerned". What a tool.
yeah, I suspect this is the norm, especially for female candidates or their wives. As far as an investment of capital, appearance matters in politics, and the prize was (and is) control of the executive branch.
I knew either “SeekAndFind” or “pissant” would be donning their track shoes in a race to put this HotAir piece about this recycled hit story.
I thought Sarah gave the clothes back or gave them to charity?
She needs to accept nothing from anybody. She looks great in a pair of jeans and shirt, throw on a black tailored blazer and wham.
And hers are not “Mom jeans” like Barry’s.
Well, we now understand why the RNC is in the red to the tune of over $20 M.
What kind of money has NANCY PELOSI spent on such things?
How about Michelle-mybelle-Obama?
How about Hillary Clinton?
etc...
I would bet there is NO comparison.
RE: I thought Sarah gave the clothes back or gave them to charity?
If she did, I’d like to see a reliable link for that.
So what?? she bought some clothes while campaigning as a republican,Consider them as work uniforms,which she turned in as I understand,Now the problem here is all these little queers dragging this NON issue back up.
No- especially not Sarah Palin
and that $150,000 figure is very suspect in my mind
BTW, Bill and Hillary shelled out $5 million for Chelsea’s wedding- yet Bubba was trolling for donations to pay off Shrillery’s campaign debts just recently- has Rodham paid off all her campaign debts?
RE: recycled hit story
Believe me, it will be recycled to the hilt ( and it will be coming from the Dems ).
(cue pics)
RE: BTW, Bill and Hillary shelled out $5 million for Chelseas wedding
Was this their own money that they spend? Or was it donated money?
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